Publication:Chattanooga Times Free Press; Date:Nov 12, 2009; Section:Free Press Editorial; Page Number:22


Rep. Wamp views ObamaCare




    With President Barack Obama trying to rush an unsound trillion-dollar socialized medicine plan through Congress, we believe you’ll be interested in a sound evaluation of it by Chattanooga’s Rep. Zach Wamp.

    The House of Representatives recently narrowly approved the version supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Now it has gone to the Senate, where it or a similar version soon will face a vote.

    Rep. Wamp voted against the House bill and pointed out his sensible reasons:

    “Big government is not the solution, it’s the problem. The Pelosi health care bill will force states to add millions to their Medicaid rolls without the money to pay for it down the road. Seven Democratic governors, including our own Phil Bredesen, have spoken loudly against it. And every day, I hear from many more Tennesseans who oppose this bill.

    “Health care costs amount to onesixth of the U.S. economy and the Democrats want the government to take it over. The 1,990-page Pelosi health care bill will cut Medicare, create new federal bureaucracies, increase the cost of health insurance, raise taxes on middle class families and cost more than a trillion dollars.

    “In just 219 pages, the Republican alternative addressed the issue of preexisting conditions, eliminated the insurance industry from capping lifetime benefits or canceling coverage and provided responsible medical liability reform. Instead of imposing unfunded mandates on states like Pelosi’s bill, our solution would have increased affordable access to health care for all Americans without further burdening state budgets.

    “Our nation has had a policy since 1977 that prevents taxpayer dollars from funding abortions because it is so offensive to so many in our country. Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan introduced an amendment to the bill that simply continues this policy, which is a consensus position since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land. I support this amendment and it is my deep hope that it remains when the final House-Senate bill is negotiated.

    “The Republican alternative would have done all of this without adding to our nation’s mounting debt. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the House Republican health care plan will reduce health care premiums by up to 10 percent and lower federal budget deficits by $68 billion over the next 10 years. The goal of health care reform should be lowering costs and giving Americans more control of their health care decisions.”

    All Americans concerned about constitutionality, economic soundness and good medical care should hope that a majority of United States senators will join Rep. Wamp in rejecting ObamaCare socialized medicine.